Pacific Winds 20250818

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

The First Lee-Trump Summit: Addressing the North Korea Issue
The Diplomat 20250816
https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/the-first-lee-trump-summit-addressing-the-north-korea-issue/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

USS George Washington makes port visit to Guam
PDN 20250817
https://www.guampdn.com/news/uss-george-washington-makes-port-visit-to-guam/article_b0b2d6be-92a8-44ce-a5fd-b62639a86739.html

Carrier strike group reaffirming Guam's strategic role in Pacific
GDP 20250817
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/carrier-strike-group-reaffirming-guams-strategic-role-in-pacific/article_f86aa92e-4252-4b43-9bbd-25189a9f1c57.html

Island Waves

19 Honiara schools get computer labs
Solomon Star 20250817
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/19-honiara-schools-get-computer-labs/

SMEC to conduct drilling for water source on Gizo
Solomon Star 20250817
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/smec-to-conduct-drilling-for-water-source-on-gizo/

Taiwan + SCS

America’s Support for Taiwan Is at a Critical Juncture
The Diplomat 20250816
https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/americas-support-for-taiwan-is-at-a-critical-juncture/

Taiwan calls exclusion from Pacific Islands Forum 'regrettable'
CNA (TW) 20250817
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202508170006

Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese military aircraft and 5 naval vessels
Taiwan News 20250817
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6181068

PH reiterates demand for China to pay for Ayungin assault damage
Manila Standard 20250816
https://manilastandard.net/news/314630618/ph-reiterates-demand-for-china-to-pay-for-ayungin-assault-damage.html

Exclusive video evidence exposes repeated Philippine attempts to stage incidents near China’s Huangyan Dao
GT 20250817
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1341047.shtml

Increased China presence in WPS bid to cover up ‘embarrassing’ mishap —NMC
GMA 20250817
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/956180/increased-china-presence-in-wps-bid-to-cover-up-embarrassing-mishap-nmc/story/

Capabilities

What The World Is About To Learn About China’s Extra-Large Underwater Drones
Naval News 20250816
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/08/what-the-world-is-about-to-learn-about-chinas-extra-large-underwater-drones/

Glimpses Of China’s New Air Combat Drones Emerge Ahead Of Massive Military Parade
TWZ 20250817
https://www.twz.com/air/glimpses-of-chinas-new-air-combat-drones-emerge-ahead-of-massive-military-parade

China successfully launches new test satellite
Xinhua 20250817
https://english.news.cn/20250817/a9ff787484a64a21aa9a3412d3f8a9f5/c.html